TRUMP’S ‘DEPUTY SURGEON GENERAL’ IN HIS FIRST TERM. ### THE RACE FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR IS HEATING UP. ‘EMERSON COLLEGE POLLS’ SHOW… TWO REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE LEAD AFTER ERIC SWALWELL’S DEPARTURE. STEVE HILTON LEADS WITH 17-PERCENT…. FOLLOWED BY RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF CHAD BIANCO AT 14. DEMOCRATIC BILLIONAIRE TOM STEYER IS TIED WITH BIANCO. TRAILING DEMOCRATS INCLUDE… FORMER U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ááXAVIER BECERRAáá AND FORMER REPRESENTATIVE ááKATIE PORTERáá… BOTH ARE TIED AT 10-PERCENT. FOLLOWED BY SAN JOSE MAYOR ááMATT MAHANáá AT 5-PERCENT. THE POLL ALSO FOUND 23-PERCENT OF LIKE
Republicans lead in California governor race post Swalwell exit
Updated: 1:30 PM PDT Apr 17, 2026
The California governor’s race is heating up, with Emerson College polls showing two Republicans leading after Eric Swalwell’s departure. Steve Hilton leads with 17%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14%. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer is tied with Bianco at 14%. Trailing Democrats include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Representative Katie Porter both tied at 10%. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan follows with 5%. The poll also found that 23% of likely voters said they are still undecided, meaning the race remains wide open.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SALINAS, Calif. —
The California governor’s race is heating up, with Emerson College polls showing two Republicans leading after Eric Swalwell’s departure.
Steve Hilton leads with 17%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14%. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer is tied with Bianco at 14%.
Trailing Democrats include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Representative Katie Porter both tied at 10%. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan follows with 5%.
The poll also found that 23% of likely voters said they are still undecided, meaning the race remains wide open.
See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel